Tamper Evident Packaging

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a tamper evident packaging that provides a packaging piece with a lid, a base section, and tamper evidencing means. The tamper evidencing means is provided on the base of the packaging piece by way of an internal and external rib structure with a perforated channel formed therebetween. The lid is configured with an engagement portion having a lid flange that is positioned within the perforated channel when the packaging is closed, thereby prohibiting access to the lid flange and preventing the opening of and tampering with the packaging piece. The perforated channel allows for the removal of the external rib structure from the interior rib structure, thereby granting access to the lid flange and allowing for the packaging to be opened, as well as providing the evidence that the packaging may have been tampered with.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/655,829 filed Jun. 5, 2012 and entitled “TamperEvident Packaging,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging systems, and moreparticularly to a package design with a tamper-evident securing feature.

Thermoformed plastic packaging is common in the packaging industry.However, there remains a need for plastic packaging which can besecurely closed and has a unique means to provide visual evidence oftampering, to thereby ensure the safety and quality of the packageditem. There is also a need for a packaging that is capable of visuallyevidencing tampering that is sturdy and structurally sound, so as to notbecome damaged during bulk shipping, which may suggest tampering thatdid not occur or that defeats the ability of the packaging to showtamper evidence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies this need by providing tamper-evidentpackaging wherein the tamper evidencing means is provided on the base ofthe packaging piece, as opposed to the lid, and the tamper evidencing isexecuted by way of a pair of rib structures and a perforated channel.The packaging may be constructed as either a two-piece, lid and basepackaging or a unitary clamshell packaging where the lid is hingedlyadjoined to the base. The tamper evidence is provided via a perforatedchannel located on the base of the packaging piece. The perforatedchannel is constructed on at least a portion of the outer perimeter ofthe base. The perforated channel retains an outer flange at theperimeter of the lid. The outer flange can only be accessed, andtherefore permit opening of the package, upon tearing along theperforations in the perforated channel and removing the outer ringportion of the base. As such, it is clear to an observer that when aportion of the perforated channel has been torn away, the packaging isnot secured and may have been tampered with.

One aspect of the invention provides a tamper-evident packagingincluding a base section having an interior rib structure, a lid havinga raised channel and a lid flange and a tamper evidencing meansirreversibly removably attached to the interior rib structure such thatthe interior rib structure is receivable within the raised channel ofthe lid, wherein the lid flange is substantially inaccessible by thelocation of the tamper evidencing means.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include the tamper evidencingmeans extends substantially along the periphery of the interior rib.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include the raised channel and theinterior rib structure are configured to provide a secure, snap-likeengagement between the lid and the base.

The lid of the tamper-evident packaging may also include at least onecorner pull tab.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include a connecting means joiningthe base section to the lid.

The tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging may extendsubstantially along the periphery of the interior rib.

The raised channel and the interior rib structure of the tamper-evidentpackaging may also be configured to provide a secure, snap-likeengagement between the lid and the base.

The lid of the tamper-evident packaging may also include at least onecorner pull tab.

Another aspect of the invention provides a tamper-evident packagingincluding a lid section having a main cover portion and an engagementportion located substantially near the outer perimeter of the main coverportion, the engagement portion having a lid flange extending therefrom.The tamper-evident packaging also includes a base section having atleast one sidewall having a top end and an interior rib structure formedat the top end of the at least one sidewall where the interior ribstructure extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the basesection. The tamper-evident packaging also includes at least one tamperevidencing means irreplaceably removably coupled to the perimeter of thebase section, said at least one tamper evidencing means extending alongat least a portion of the perimeter of the base section. The lid flangeof the tamper-evident packaging is receivable within the channel suchthat access to the lid flange is blocked by the tamper evidencing means.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include the at least one tamperevidencing means taking the form of an exterior rib structure disposedgenerally parallel to the interior rib structure and a channel formedbetween the interior rib structure and the exterior rib structure.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include the at least one tamperevidencing means including a plurality of perforations extending alongat least a portion of the channel, wherein the perforations disposedgenerally parallel to the interior and exterior rib structures.

The tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging may also beformed along substantially the entire perimeter of the base portion.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include at least a portion of thelid section coupled to the base section by a connecting means.

The tamper-evident packaging may also include a first tamper evidencingmeans and a second tamper evidencing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a partial breakaway view of the first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention taken alongline 2A-2A of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a close-up, cross-sectional view of a tamper evidencing meansof the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a human hand acting on the tamperevidencing means of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packagingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a human hand acting on a lid portion ofthe first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a partial breakaway view of the second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention taken alongline 6A-6A of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is a close-up, cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof the tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a human hand acting on the tamperevidencing means of the second embodiment of the tamper-evidentpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a human hand acting on the lid portionof the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according tothe present invention.

FIG. 9A is top view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evidentpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention along line9B-9B of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a side view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evidentpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with thetamper evidencing means separated from the base portion.

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the second embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with thetamper evidencing means and the lid separated from the base portion.

FIG. 11A is top view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evidentpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention along line11B-11B of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a side view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evidentpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with thetamper evidencing means separated from the base portion.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the first embodiment of thetamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with thetamper evidencing means and the lid separated from the base portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied inother specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has beendescribed, the details may be changed without departing from theinvention.

As shown in the Figures, the present invention is a tamper-evidentpackaging piece 10 having a lid 20 and a base section 30.

The base section 30 may have a generally bowl-like configurationcomprising a main base portion 31, at least one side wall 32, and aninterior rib structure 33 formed at the top 34 of the at least one sidewall 32, about the perimeter 35 of the base section 30. A tamperevidencing means 40 may be coupled to the perimeter 35 of the basesection 30, along at least a portion of the perimeter 35 of the basesection 30.

The main base portion 31 may be substantially flat to create a sturdybase for the packaging piece 10 to sit on. Extending from the perimeterof the base portion 31 is the at least one side wall 32. The at leastone side wall 32 may extend generally perpendicular from the baseportion 31. The side walls 32 may be substantially planar or may have asomewhat curved or rounded transition from the base portion 31 to thetop 34 of the side wall 32 that forms the perimeter 35 of the basesection 30.

The tamper evidencing means 40 may be made up of an exterior ribstructure 36 positioned parallel to the interior rib structure 33 and achannel 37 formed between the interior rib structure 33 and the exteriorrib structure 36. The channel 37 of the tamper evidencing means 40 mayhave perforations 38 formed substantially near the central point in thechannel 37, extending parallel with the interior rib structure 33 andthe exterior rib structure 36. The perforations 38 allow for thedisengagement of the exterior rib structure 36 from the remainder of thebase section 30.

The tamper evidencing means 40 may also have one or more tear tabs 39 toprovide improved access to the exterior rib structure 36 and theperforations 38, to assist in the removal of the exterior rib structure36 from the base section 30. In the embodiments shown, the tear tab 39is located in one corner, but the tear tab 39 may be located in adifferent position, or in more than location on the base section 30.

The lid 20 may have a main cover portion 21 having a top side 21 a and abottom side 21 b and engagement portion 22 located substantially nearthe outer perimeter 23 of the main cover portion 21. The main coverportion 21 may be substantially flat and configured to enclose thepackaging area formed by the main base portion 31 and the at least oneside wall 32 of the base section 30. The engagement portion 22 may beconstructed with an outer wall 24 extending substantially perpendicularto the main cover portion 21 in the direction of the bottom side 21 b.The outer wall 24 may have a lid flange 25 extending therefrom. In apreferred embodiment, the lid flange 25 extends from a distal end 24 bof the outer wall 24. The lid flange 25 is configured to provide amanipulation point to assist in the separation of the lid 20 from thebase section 30.

In a preferred embodiment, the engagement portion 22 may have a raisedchannel 26 to provide a secure, snap closure with the base section 30,configured to accommodate interior structure rib 33 of the base section30. The raised channel 26 has an inner wall 27 and an outer wall 24. Theraised channel 26 is sized and configured in a substantially cooperativemanner to the counterpart portions of interior rib structure 33 toprovide secure, snap-like engagement between the elements and maintainsecure closure between the lid 20 and the base section 30.

The lid 20 may further have one or more corner pull tabs 28, generallyextending the lid flange 25, to provide improved gripping capabilitiesto assist in the separation of the lid 20 from the base section 30,thereby opening the packaging piece 10.

When the packaging piece 10 is closed, the outer wall 24 extendsadjacent to interior rib structure 33 thereby positioning the lid flange25 and/or the pull tab 28 within the channel 37. In this position, thelid flange 25 or the pull tab 28 is prohibited from being accessed (tothereby open or tamper with the packaging piece 10) due to the barrierformed by the exterior rib structure 36. When the perforations are tornapart to separate the exterior rib structure 36 from the remainder ofthe base section 30, the lid flange 25 and/or the pull tab 28 becomesaccessible and the lid 20 and the base portion 30 can be at leastsubstantially separated. Such separation of the exterior rib structure36 along the perforations 38 is clearly visible and indicates thattampering with the packaging may have occurred.

As noted, the tamper evidencing means 40 may be formed along at least aportion of the outer perimeter of the base portion 30. As shown in thefigures, the tamper evidencing means 40 may be formed substantiallyabout the full perimeter of the packaging piece 10. In FIGS. 1-4 and11A-12C, for example, the tamper evidencing means 40 surrounds nearlythe entirety of the perimeter 35 of the base 30, but for the perimeterportion having the connecting means 50. In FIGS. 5-10C, for example, thetamper evidencing means 40 surrounds nearly the entirety of theperimeter 35 of the base 30, but for gap 41. Alternatively, the tamperevidencing means 40 may surround the entire perimeter 35 having no gap41 or connecting means 50. The tamper evidencing means 40 may also belocated only at a corner of the packaging piece 10, providing access tothe pull tab 28. The tamper evidencing means may also be located on aportion of one side 34 or more than one side 34, or the packaging piece10 may have more than one tamper evidencing means 40 located on separateparts of the packaging piece 10, such as two corners.

The lid 20 and base section 30 can take on a variety of shapes andsizes, so long as the lid 20 and base section 30 forming a packagingpiece 10 have a corresponding shape and size to accommodate the secureclosure discussed above. The figures show square and rectangularpackaging pieces 10, although a packaging piece can be formed into othershapes such as circles, triangles, other polygons, and other shapessuitable for packaging a desired item.

FIGS. 1-4 and 11A-12C show a first embodiment of the packaging piece 10.In this embodiment, the lid 20 and the base section 30 are partiallyconnected via connecting means 50, such as the hinge-like mechanismshown, thereby making a clam shell-type packaging piece 10. Theconnecting means 50 may extend along the perimeters 23, 35 of the lid 20and the base 30, along a substantially entire side of the packagingpiece 10, or as shown, may be provided on only a portion thereof.

FIGS. 5-10C show a second embodiment of the lid 20 and the base section30 as separable elements to form the packaging piece. In thisembodiment, there are no connecting means 50 adjoining the two elementstogether when in the open position.

Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 10A-10C and 12A-12C, a user mayopen the packaging piece 10 by first removing the tamper evidencingmeans 40 by gripping the tamper evidencing means 40 and pulling thetamper evidencing means 40 away from the base section 30 alongperforations 38. This step may be aided by providing a tab 39 or a gap41 for a user to grip. Prior tampering with the packaging piece 10 willbe evidenced by any separation of the tamper evidencing means 40 fromthe base section 30 before the user proceeds in removal of the tamperevidencing means 40. After the tamper evidencing means 40 has beenremoved, the user may lift the lid 20 from the base section 30,effectively separating the raised channel 26 from the interior ribstructure 33. This step may be aided by providing a lid flange 25 or apull tab 28.

Containers according to the present invention may be formed from avariety of materials, such as thermoformable plastics such aspolyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET or PETG), high density polyethylene(HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE),polypropylene (PP), and/or polystyrene (PS). Generally, containersaccording to the present invention may be constructed in a variety ofmethods, such as a two-step method including a thermoforming step and acutting step. The thermoforming step may generally form thethree-dimensional shape of such container and the cutting step may atleast separate the formed container from some waste. The cutting stepmay include a step of creating the tamper evident means discussedherein. Additionally or alternatively, the tamper evident means may beestablished prior to (e.g. during the thermoforming step) or after thecutting step.

I/we claim:
 1. A tamper-evident packaging comprising a base sectionhaving an interior rib structure; a lid having a raised channel and alid flange; and a tamper evidencing means irreversibly removablyattached to the interior rib structure; the interior rib structurereceivable within the raised channel of the lid, wherein the lid flangeis substantially inaccessible by the location of the tamper evidencingmeans.
 2. The tamper-evident packaging of claim 1, wherein the tamperevidencing means extends substantially along the periphery of theinterior rib.
 3. The tamper-evident packaging of claim 1, wherein theraised channel and the interior rib structure are configured to providea secure, snap-like engagement between the lid and the base.
 4. Thetamper-evident packaging of claim 1, wherein the lid has at least onecorner pull tab.
 5. The tamper-evident packaging of claim furthercomprising a connecting means joining the base section to the lid. 6.The tamper-evident packaging of claim 5, wherein the tamper evidencingmeans extends substantially along the periphery of the interior rib. 7.The tamper-evident packaging of claim 5, wherein the raised channel andthe interior rib structure are configured to provide a secure, snap-likeengagement between the lid and the base.
 8. The tamper-evident packagingof claim 5, wherein the lid has at least one corner pull tab.
 9. Atamper-evident packaging comprising a lid section having a main coverportion and an engagement portion located substantially near the outerperimeter of the main cover portion, the engagement portion having a lidflange extending therefrom; a base section having at least one sidewallhaving a top end; an interior rib structure formed at the top end of theat least one sidewall, said interior rib structure extending along atleast a portion of the perimeter of the base section; at least onetamper evidencing means irreplaceably removably coupled to the perimeterof the base section, said at least one tamper evidencing means extendingalong at least a portion of the perimeter of the base section; andwherein the lid flange is receivable within the channel such that accessto the lid flange is blocked by the at least one tamper evidencingmeans.
 10. The tamper-evident packaging of claim 9 wherein the at leastone tamper evidencing means further comprises an exterior rib structuredisposed generally parallel to the interior rib structure; and a channelformed between the interior rib structure and the exterior ribstructure.
 11. The tamper-evident packaging of claim 10 wherein the atleast one tamper evidencing means further comprises a plurality ofperforations extending along at least a portion of the channel, saidperforations disposed generally parallel to the interior and exteriorrib structures.
 12. The tamper-evident packaging of claim 11 wherein theat least one tamper evidencing means is formed along substantially theentire perimeter of the base portion.
 13. The tamper-evident packagingof claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the lid section is coupled tothe base section by a connecting means.
 14. The tamper-evident packagingof claim 9 further comprising a first tamper evidencing means and asecond tamper evidencing means.